Friday Poetry: In the Land of Milk and Honey

by Joyce Carol Thomas, illustrated by Floyd Cooper. Amistad, 2012. (review copy/F&G) I received an "F & G" from the publisher for this book. What that means is it is not the final bound version but just the printed and gathered pages. The illustrations are so beautiful in this book I think I am going to have to frame some of them, so having the pages unbound makes that easier! :)

In 1948 Joyce Carol Thomas took the train from Oklahoma to California, when her father moved the family there to be near extended family. The author recals lovely, flavorful details of the excitement and wonder of the trip. Some of my favorite lines:

"Daddy says,
"If the lemons are big as oranges
if the oranges are big as grapefruits
if you bit into a strawberry
and taste heaven in your mouth
why, you're in California
the Land of Milk and Honey."

..."where ships sit
anchored in the coastal waters..."

"where the music swings
and every voice rings
with its own true sound..."

"Beyond the bay
mountains topped with ice cream snow
rise..."

Thomas employs sharp color words associated with wonderful tastes and smells to give readers sharp images that make those of us enduring a dreary northern winter long for southern California. If you are in need of some citrus and sunshine go find this book and drink it in!

Today's Friday Poetry round up is hosted at Teaching Authors.

Please come back here often in the coming weeks for lots of Black History Month featured children's literature!